Whilst sitting on the toilet last night, checking my fave threads, I came across your toolkit writeup. I quickly put the phone away, as I wanted to read it this morning while 'working'. Bravo.

My 2 most favoritest tools you mentioned are the multi-dogbone tool, and that wiha screwdriver. I'm buying these ASAP. wiha also has a stubby screwdriver to match it! <3 Also love my Leatherman skeletool...

For those that are wondering where to get the higher end hand tools mentioned, the screwdriver is the Wiha 38027 and the adjustable pliers are the Knipex Alligator 8801250 both available at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-38027-Standard-Magnetic-Phillips/dp/B001LQQ42K/ and http://www.amazon.com/Knipex-8801250E-10-Inch-Alligator-Pliers/dp/B000X4J2VQ/ respectively.

They might be a little on the spendy side for a single tool for those that prefer to shop at Harbor Freight (like me), but I've always had good luck with tools that get unbiased reviews and I'd really like to be able to have one screwdriver to rule them all and leave the rest at home. Besides, it's probably the least expensive thing I've bought this month for my Jeep

For those that are wondering where to get the higher end hand tools mentioned, the screwdriver is the Wiha 38027 and the adjustable pliers are the Knipex Alligator 8801250 both available at Amazon.

They might be a little on the spendy side for a single tool for those that prefer to shop at Harbor Freight (like me), but I've always had good luck with tools that get unbiased reviews and I'd really like to be able to have one screwdriver to rule them all and leave the rest at home. Besides, it's probably the least expensive thing I've bought this month for my Jeep

Excellent finds...and my thanks for the links. That's a good price on the pliers, incidentally. I paid a couple more dollars for mine, locally.

If it's worth doing, then it's worth overdoing.

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Sundowner, great writeup as always. Chick-fil-A is suddenly on my to-do list this weekend along with the HD steering linkage install. I'll be making a few changes but have a relatively similar "light" loadout. The changes I'm making are in coincidence with your thought and work on conserving space, which is substantial. In other words, I'm going to be buying some of those tools that have many combinations of uses and I appreciate your unbiased assessment of their performance and durability.

Additionally, I have the exact same Leatherman Wave. Original model that I bought in my first semester of college six or seven years ago. It has accompanied me on MANY epic journeys, dragon slayings, wrenchings, cursings, and drinking trips. Like yourself, I have not been kind to it but I can't seem to kill it. That tool is by far one of the most faithful inanimate companions a man can spend money on.

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fantastic work on the "basics" tool kit. lots of good stuff in that little bag. leatherman is a good multitool. i personally carry my victorinox (swiss army) everyday to work. i feel completely naked without it. mine also has a small 1/4" drive bit set that came with it that goes in the pouch with it. i have also had my eyes on the SOG multitool. their pliers are gear assisted for strength as the pliers on these things are generally weak.

on a side note, my tiny town of tullahoma is getting a Chick-fil-a and i'm going to have to fight the urge to be a complete fatty and eat the spicy chicken sammich everyday. continue on sir.

Can anyone tell me how the flux capacitor is used to facilitate time travel???

Sundowner, great writeup as always. Chick-fil-A is suddenly on my to-do list this weekend along with the HD steering linkage install. I'll be making a few changes but have a relatively similar "light" loadout. The changes I'm making are in coincidence with your thought and work on conserving space, which is substantial. In other words, I'm going to be buying some of those tools that have many combinations of uses and I appreciate your unbiased assessment of their performance and durability.

Additionally, I have the exact same Leatherman Wave. Original model that I bought in my first semester of college six or seven years ago. It has accompanied me on MANY epic journeys, dragon slayings, wrenchings, cursings, and drinking trips. Like yourself, I have not been kind to it but I can't seem to kill it. That tool is by far one of the most faithful inanimate companions a man can spend money on.

I'm officially envious of upgraded steering. You suck.

If you go with a similar-sized bag you can fit it between the seat frame and body on either side of your front seats...which are great "otherwise-unused" spaces. I had this particular bag on hand because I bought two of them when I made The Mysterious and Suspiciously-Named "Girly Things" Kit, and I bought them specifically to fit in the aforementioned spaces. It was luck that all the tools fit in there...but it was a good exercise in minimalist theory.

Be that as it may, I would honestly prefer to have a slightly larger bag and let it ride either 1) behind the driver's seat in the floorboard, or 2) in the center console, which I don't really use for anything at all since the latch on it is uber-stiff. Both of these spaces - for me, personally - are "unused" areas. The only reason I'm not making use of the seat-frame-to-body voids is because they're already in-use: the Girly Things Kit takes up the passenger-side area and my towel stays beside the driver's seat. I might swap those around, though...we'll see. Annabelle has mentioned that it would be good to be able to get to the Girly Things Kit without having to open the door. Hmm...

If it's worth doing, then it's worth overdoing.

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Very nice and comprehensive tool kit. This will save a lot of weight out of the back of my Jeep when out wheeling.

I do have one question and two suggestions if I may.

1. On that Wiha screw driver, the receptacle at the end of the shank (the one that holds the bits), is or would it be too large in diameter to go down in a deep hole to get to a phillips head screw? You know, like is it too fat and you can't get down to the screw because the hole is a little smaller than 1/4".

2. I would add "short/regular" sockets in the same sizes to match the deep sockets. I can't count how many times i've had to go back to the tool box to swap a deep socket for a regular one because there wasn't enough clearance to get the ratchet and the deep socket on to the nut, but the regular size got me in there! It wouldn't take up too much more space either.

3. Don't forget to include the always utilitarian and very multi-purpose, Duct Tape, Bailing Wire, and JB Weld!!! Man that stuff has gotten me out of alot of jams!

Otherwise i will be downsizing my tool kit to these specs. Thank you for the write up. It has been very enlightening!

You can have cheap, and you can have quality, but you can't have both!

1. On that Wiha screw driver, the receptacle at the end of the shank (the one that holds the bits), is or would it be too large in diameter to go down in a deep hole to get to a phillips head screw? You know, like is it too fat and you can't get down to the screw because the hole is a little smaller than 1/4".

It's actually pretty small...most #2 Phillips screws are about the same size as the head. I think it would fit in most cases because it's really a very slender profile.

2. I would add "short/regular" sockets in the same sizes to match the deep sockets. I can't count how many times i've had to go back to the tool box to swap a deep socket for a regular one because there wasn't enough clearance to get the ratchet and the deep socket on to the nut, but the regular size got me in there! It wouldn't take up too much more space either.

I've had that happen, too, but not often...it's been more of the reverse, for me: usually, the shorty models don't fit! This is one of the reasons I'd like the ratcheting box ends wrenches...

+1 on the racheting boxed end wrenches. I'll be getting those for sure! 10-4 on the "Repair" items. Didn't know that was coming. Gloves! Hell yes! Ever try to work on S**t out in the Desert in the summer?! It's brutal! You quickly learn put all your tools in the shade or you can't pick them up!!!

You can have cheap, and you can have quality, but you can't have both!

You did forget two tools. Gloves and a torque wrench. Protecting your handsies is important in The Wasteland. They are the only ones you have. How dare you sir!

Actually, I didn't forget them...I conscientiously disregarded them.

Gloves: I have a pair that stays under my towel and another with my recovery gear...but I honestly don't use them unless I'm in a situation with hot metal or a cutting hazard: most of the time I prefer to be able to accurately feel whatever I'm working on.

Torque Wrench: Too big. For a trail repair, torque values aren't even remotely at the top of my list. If I can get myself mobile and back to civilization, I can torque a fastener down properly at a more convenient time.

+1 on the racheting boxed end wrenches. I'll be getting those for sure! 10-4 on the "Repair" items. Didn't know that was coming. Gloves! Hell yes! Ever try to work on S**t out in the Desert in the summer?! It's brutal! You quickly learn put all your tools in the shade or you can't pick them up!!!

See commentary on hot metal.

If it's worth doing, then it's worth overdoing.

The Republic of Dave: Bringing you the finest in simian testing supplies.

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